Madison Chock and Evan Bates Win Record Seventh Ice Dance Title at the U.S. Championships
U.S. ice dancing duo Madison Chock and Evan Bates achieved a historic milestone by clinching their seventh title at the 2026 U.S. Figure Skating Championships held in St. Louis, Missouri, on January 10. This victory not only solidified their status as the most decorated ice dance team in championship history but also marked their fifth consecutive national title, surpassing the record they previously shared with Olympic champions Meryl Davis and Charlie White.
Chock and Bates dazzled the audience and judges alike, earning an impressive total score of 228.87, far outpacing their nearest competitors. Finishing second were Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik, who scored 213.65. Rounding out the podium were Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko, finishing third with a score of 206.95.
An emotional Bates expressed gratitude after their victory, stating, “I just want to say thank you to everyone in this arena for supporting all of the ice dancers. There is no better feeling than looking up to the top rafters and seeing it full around the arena.” Chock chimed in with similar sentiments during an interview with U.S. broadcaster NBC, remarking on the extraordinary support they felt from the audience, “It felt so special. I’m so grateful for this moment.”
Looking ahead, Chock and Bates are expected to lead the U.S. team at the upcoming Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina 2026, as the U.S. has secured three spots in ice dance. Their remarkable free dance performance set to “Paint It Black” from the Westworld soundtrack drew a standing ovation, emphasizing their crowd connection and artistry.
However, the weekend wasn’t as smooth for Olympic bronze medalists Maia and Alex Shibutani, who unfortunately experienced challenges in their routine, ultimately finishing in ninth place after their free dance.
As the figure skating community turns its eyes to the Olympics, all eyes will remain on Chock and Bates, whose journey continues to inspire aspiring skaters nationwide.
